Trees

One morning I was driving to work in the fog, it was the kind of fog that rests on the road instead of in the sky; here I was driving alone on the highway and because the fog was resting low, I was able to see the road several miles ahead of me.

The view was one of those special views; the kind you just appreciate because they are so rare, like the sunrise on a cool morning or the waves rolling back into the sea. My heart spilled over with gratitude and I just began to pray and whisper, “Thank You’s” to the Father.

Have you ever got lost in a prayer?… Just sort of drift off in your mind and suddenly it seems as though your soul left your physical body and you sort of floated someplace into the sky?  

This is what it felt like at that moment, as I drove on the road in awe of the beauty…the long highway, the low fog and trees perfectly planted so many feet apart from each other on each side of the highway. I was mesmerized….

While driving, in awe of the the moment I watched in my minds eye as the Holy Spirit began to point things out to me..

I drove gazing at the roadside wildflowers, appreciating all the trees that seemed to lead the way. I began to hear the promises of God ringing in my ear…

 “ If you search for Me you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29).

 “I am near whenever you pray to Me” (Deuteronomy 4:7). 

“I will protect you” (Psalm 121). 

“My love will never fail you” (1 Chronicles 16:34).

 “ all things will work out for good” (Romans 8:28). 

“I will comfort you in trials”(2 Corinthians 1:3–4) 

“I promise to finish the work I started in you (Philippians 1:6)

I began to smile again with gratitude and a peace enveloped me and, I felt Him say in my heart that He is WAY ahead of me, WAY ahead on the road .…He showed me that He intentionally set specific men and women of God along my path to point the way. Like these trees along each side of the road they were already waiting ahead, tall and strong…all different, but the same in the sense that they are there guiding me along with the love of Jesus and power from the Holy Spirit. Suddenly I began to see different faces from my past who were those “trees” on my path.

 Over 10 years before I met Jesus I worked with a lady in retail. I knew in the center of my heart there was something special about her, 11 years later I sat down next to her in my new church! I came in late that night and the usher took me to the only seat available which was right next to her. Immediately, we both did a double take and then with excitement embraced. Years later we ended up at the same ladies retreat. One night during that retreat, I kept asking the Lord why she didn’t tell me about Jesus sooner. All I could think about was how many painful mistakes I would have been able to avoid if she would have just told me about Jesus. I decided to ask her, her reply came with tear filled eyes as she explained that the Lord had given her a heavy burden for me, and she would often pray for me, but she knew it wasn’t my time. The Lord had given her enough wisdom to understand that I wouldn’t have heard it. However, she was the light in my darkness even though she never said much to me, she was just there like those trees; one day she left the company and I felt the void of her absence.  

One of my best friends I met in high school was so loving and loyal, she always looked out for me and defended me in uncomfortable situations, she was never preachy or pushy, she just loved me as the Father loved her even in my darkness. She always encouraged me to give my pain and anger to God, and I always told her I didn’t want to hear about God, but she remained like that Psalm 1 tree firmly planted and loved me anyway.  

Then years later my fitness instructor of all people (haha) she would be instructing the class and I was so drawn to her not knowing she was also a daughter of the King; she just loved me from a distance (I was just a student in her class) I knew in the center of me there was something about her that was so beautiful and strong; now I know it was Jesus. Later she played a huge role in my salvation story.

 I gave my heart to Jesus in February of 2011.

Not knowing how to “be a Christian”. I began to attend Sunday services. God knew I was terrified and so so guarded so he simply sent me a beautiful woman; all she did was hand me a box of tissue to wipe my tears…This woman ended up taking on the role of a Spiritual mother in my life and still is today an amazing tree, strong and not shaken, rooted deep in God and full of wisdom like a river of rushing water.

These were just a few of the many planted “Trees” God placed so intentionally on my path. As the years go on, I can see more and more “trees” God placed in my life who I wasn’t able to recognize at the time.

I see it now and if I could go back to each of those moments and cherish them I would. I’ve learned that on this journey: God has positioned so many “trees” around ALL of us. Believers and unbelievers; it’s up to us to choose to see them, cherish them and become a well rooted tree ourselves. 

In my life as a Christian, there has NEVER been a more rewarding feeling than to position myself as one of those trees for another.

If you get anything from this reading today, can I ask, “who’s tree are you supposed to be today?”